Nick Jaina’s got a busy month ahead of him. He’s wrangled up 11 musicians, some from the likes of bands such as Loch Lomond and Laura Gibson, to play with him on his West Coast tour. And what better way to say Bon Voyage than with a record release show? The alt-folk bandleader’s celebrating the release of A Bird in the Opera House, his fifth album on Portland-based label HUSH Records at Doug Fir on April 2—a little early for its April 13 release, but necessary considering it is also his tour kickoff.

The record was conceived when Jaina’s friend, Lee Howard, offered the musician not only the opportunity to record in his basement studio, but a room in his home to stay in as well. The two gradually recorded the album in the studio’s in-between times, allowing Jaina to sit in his room and have time with his songs, to think about the direction they were taking, to deconstruct them and put them back together.

“Sleep, Child,” the first single off A Bird in the Opera House, is a gleaming example of the importance of time and intimacy in the recording process. The song’s structure begins simple—guitar chords accompanied by faint percussion and Jaina’s strong, smooth vocals—but the absence of a chorus allows the track to build on itself, swelling with intensity and ending in a beautiful orchestra of vocal harmonies, pounding drums, and soaring violins.

With this taste of the album, I cannot wait to hear more.

Listen to “Sleep, Child”:

Check out the video for “Days in My Room,” also off A Bird in the Opera House:

TOUR DATES

4/2 -Portland, OR - Doug Fir (CD Release Show!)

4/7- Eugene, OR – Sam Bonds

4/8- Davis, CA - Sophia's

4/9- Modesto, CA - Cafe Deva

4/10- Merced, CA - Partisan

4/11- Santa Cruz, CA - Crepe Place

4/12- San Francisco, CA - Elbo Room

4/13- Chico, CA - Cafe Flo

4/14- Los Angeles, CA - Echo Curio

4/15- Joshua Tree, CA - Pappy & Harriet's

4/16- San Diego, CA - Lestat's

4/17 -Flagstaff, AZ - Mia's

4/19- Torrey, UT – The Patio

4/20 – Salt Lake City, UT - State Room

4/21 -Provo, UT - Velour

4/22 -Boise, ID - Early show @ the Modern/Late show @ the Linen Building

4/23- Kennewick, WA - Red Room

4/24- Pendleton, OR - Great Pacific

-Katrina Nattress

If you haven't heard, Christopher Pappas of The Everyday Visuals has put together a glorious side project, Forest Fires. They release their debut album, Hark! And Other Lost Transmissions on the 15th. In celebration of the release Forest Fires has a residency at the Armory (Where the Deli Showcase #2 was at) featuring some of New England's best folk and rock musicians. I'm not just saying this to be nice. This is one of the more epic residencies I've seen in a while. Take a look.

April 1st:
Tom Janovitz AKA Sodafrog(8PM)
Josh Buckley (The Guilded Splinters) (8:50PM)
Forest Fires (9:40PM)

April 8th:
Michael Wheeler (8PM)
Lady Lamb the Bee Keeper (8:50PM)
Forest Fires (9:40PM)

April 15th: (Official release!!!!)
Laura Cortese (8PM)
The Everyday Visuals (8:50PM)
Forest Fires (9:40PM)

April 22nd:
Oranjuly (8PM)
Will Dailey (8:50PM)
Forest Fires (9:40PM)

April 29th:
Rasmyth (My dad's band!) (8PM)
Jesse Gallagher (Apollo Sunshine) (8:50PM)
Forest Fires (9:40PM)

http://www.artsatthearmory.org/ - 191 Highland Ave - Somerville, MA - Take the Red line to Davis and it is like a few blocks.
--The Deli Staff

Current Deli Artist of the Month Miniboone has just released this fun video of their single Cool Kids Cut Out of the Heart Itself - which perfectly channels the post punk energy of the Brooklyn band. Miniboone is one of the many awesome local bands that will play The Deli's Best of NYC Fest in mid May (see blog entry underneath in thsi same page). Don't miss their live show at Cake Shop on April 6.

The new video from Oh My God is amazing. "Bring Yourself" was conceived and created by Dan Bigelow and the track comes from their latest album, The Night Undoes the Work of the Day (Split Red Records).

Ah, the reverie of spring. In lieu of fields to loll about in go get cozy for free with Alexa Wilkinson (in the picture), Julie Peel, and Mercy Bell (in the picture) at The Living Room, Thursday, April 1, from 8pm-11pm. Julie Peel unleashed her debut full-length album on American Laundromat Records (ALR) September 22nd 2008, and has been enjoying rave reviews and charting at college & specialty radio ever since. Previously featured on ALR compilations, this is Julie’s first solo full-length release. She counts Aimee Mann, Kim Deal, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell among her influences, and their impact is not hard to discern on Near the Sun. Julie’s lo-fi, guitar-driven pop recalls the likes of Ida, Anna Ternheim, Caithlin de Marrais, and Mirah, but bears her own distinctive indie sensibility and style. Alexa Wilkinson plays a unique blend of music a unique of blend of music with jazz, rock and folk influences. She has toured and shared the stage with Ingrid Michaelson, Josh Kelley, Natasha Beddingfield, Mieka Pauly, Bess Rogers, Joshua Radin, Vanessa Carlton, Dar Williams, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, and many more. She has had various songs from her both albums featured on MTV's "The Hills", CBS's "NCIS: NY" & "Make It or Break It", and many others. Mercy Bell has been playing her crunchy folk-pop around New York for almost two years and is working on her first album. - (as posted in The Deli's Open Blog - post your band's entries, videos, and Mp3s here).